This past weekend we had lifelong friends over to our new house (Gram’s House) for dinner and a campfire. We bought a fire ring and put it towards the back of our property. Behind the house is wooded, so even though we are within town limits we are allowed to have a contained campfire ring in the backyard. I was so excited.

We had delicious chicken shish kabobs and our friends brought amazing salads, appetizers, and a zucchini bake. We had a fantastic dinner on our back deck at the large picnic table that was handed down from Jeff’s grandfather to his Aunt Sandy to us. Then we proceeded to the backyard to hang out around the campfire.

I felt like I was in the country around our campfire even though we were right in our backyard. I sat in the chair facing the woods. With the moonlight and the stars above, it was so beautiful and peaceful. There were nine of us, and we had the best time. Most of those around the campfire I have known since elementary school. Two of them were my sister’s best friends. It was so nice to be around people who know me and have known my whole family over the years. There is nothing like lifelong friendships.

Since we have all known each other forever the conversation was easy. We talked about everything from how terrible some of us sing, to being single and independent, to finding our Prince and having kids to how hard marriage can be, to peeing behind trees to concerts we’ve attended. The stories we all told had everyone laughing out loud. My stomach hurt the next day from all the fun.

Even though my sister isn’t here to partake in the campfire and to share the memories of Gram’s House and growing up in our little town, it made me feel close to her having two of her closest friends there with us. Jeff only knew my sister for about six months before she passed. Having her friends around gives me hope that over the years as stories are told he and my other newer friends will get to know her better and cherish her memory just like I do.

Jeff and I have two very different homes. Our winter home in Florida is Spanish Colonial-style with tile floors and big glass patio windows overlooking the pool and the canal. The floorplan is open concept and renovations have been done to all of the rooms over the past 20 years. Our summer home is half the size of the Florida home and in a town that is about 1/20th the size of our winter hometown. We live in a rural area but on the edge of “town”.  Our back deck looks out into the woods which is beautiful. The only updates that have been done to Gram’s House are the ones that have been completed in the past five years. We still have a lot of work to do.

Even though the two homes are very different they are the same in that we love having people over to fill our homes with laughter and to make memories. We are so blessed in both states that we have amazing friends and family that join us in this endeavor. I feel like this poster sums it up.

In the end, I am so glad that we made the decision to buy Gram’s House. I love it and am beyond grateful for the people that surround me. I look forward to all of the new memories we can make in Gram’s House. I know she is smiling down and excited for us, too.